Three Riverina sheep and wool industry enthusiasts are among seven finalists drawn from a national field in the industry’s prestigious Peter Westblade Scholarship.
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Harrison Stonnill, who works on his family’s merino operation Cocketgedong between Jerilderie and Urana is joined by Wagga pair Hilary Beech and Veronika Hartmeier among the finalists.
Now entering its seventh year, the scholarship provides opportunities and in-kind support worth up to $10,000 over a 12 period.
The recipient will benefit from practical skills training, mentoring and the establishment of industry networks.
Ms Beech, 23, is employed with Wagga agricultural consultants Holmes Sackett and would use the scholarship to study breeding objectives and how genetic traits are influenced by the environment.
Ms Hartmeier, 22, is based at the Wagga site of woolbrokers Moses and Son and is interested in technology in the wool industry and adding value at the farm gate through better management decisions.
Mr Stonnill said he would like to network with industry leaders to learn more about sheep and wool production.
Other finalists are Anna Cotton from Swansea, Joe Walden from Yass, Mathew Connor, Taralga, and Jane Brien, Wellington.
The finalists will attend the Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge Shearing in Wagga on March 1 and 2.
The winner will be named at the Peter Westblade Scholarship dinner at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Thursday, March 1. The scholarship honours the late Peter Westblade, a Lockhart sheep producer passionate about breeding profitable sheep, and a supporter of young people interested in agriculture.
Peter Westblade Scholarship chairman Craig Wilson, who runs a Merino genetic consultancy business based in Wagga, said the calibre of the 2018 applicants was high with the judging panel faced with a tough decision. The scholarship runs parallel with the 2018 Peter Westblade Memorial Merino Challenge Shearing on March 1 and 2 held at North Wagga TAFE, from 7.30am to 5pm.
Jugiong’s Jim Honner, of Thank a Farmer for Your Next Meal, will be guest speaker at the scholarship announcement and dinner.
Mr Honner and Sam Johnston, of Forbes, co-founded of Thank a Farmer for Your Next Meal, a social media juggernaut with more than 50,000 followers to showcase where food and fibre comes from, who makes it and how.
They spoke at the Henty Machienry Field Days and set up a stand at the site, which was proved popular.